The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse.  The following were present:

Honorable Fred A. Luntsford - Chairman

Honorable Ronnie Shortt - Vice-Chairman

Honorable Robert R. Adkins

Honorable Steve Bates

Honorable John W. Peace II

Honorable Virginia Meador

Honorable Leland Branham

Honorable Robert Robbins - members of said Board and

Glen A. Skinner - County Administrator

Shannon C. Scott - Assistant County Administrator

Karen T. Mullins - County Attorney

Annette Underwood - Executive Secretary

PRAYER

James Hokeman, Pastor of Durham's Chapel Church, led the Board in prayer.

PLEDGE

All led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

IN RE:  AGENDA ADDITIONS

Administrator Skinner listed the following items to be considered for addition to the agenda:

Consent agenda

Add Budget Amendments: 

            No. 64:  Source of Revenue-Prior years fund balance - $2,800.00
                           (3505) Emergency Services
                                        (505203) Telecommunications - $2,500.00
                                        (505401) Office supplies. $300.00

            No. 65:  Source of Revenue - Prior years fund balance - $1,500.00
                           (1201) County Administrator
                                        (505506) Travel - $1,500.00

It was the consensus of the Board to add these items to next week's agenda for consideration.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - SURPLUS SCHOOL PROPERTY / CRACKERS NECK

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the sale and disposition of County property located in the Cracker's Neck section of Wise County.

James Hokeman, Pastor of Durham's Chapel Church, addressed the Board stating that the church is ready to purchase the property as soon as the paper work has been completed.    

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - E-911 ROAD NAMES

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding fourteen proposed E-911 road name additions.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING OF PROPERTY / JIM SMITH

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed rezoning request from Jim Smith for property located on Morrison Road located in the Esserville section of Wise County for the purpose of selling as commercial property.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING OF PROPERTY / DEBORAH & BELDON FLEMING

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a request from Deborah & Beldon Fleming to rezone property located at 6148 Guest River Road, Norton, VA and a Special Use Permit for same property for the purpose of expanding their mobile home park.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - CDBG  PROJECT FUNDING

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to solicit public input on local community development and housing needs in relation to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a community project.

Phillip Black with People, Inc, and Director of Community Economic Development, voiced his appreciation to the Board for holding this public hearing on the CDBG project funding.  He noted  that he would be presenting a project to the Board at its next meeting.

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE ON MANDATORY SEWER CONNECTION

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' input regarding a proposed Ordinance concurring in the Application of the Wise County Public Service Authority service availability resolution to Wise County regarding mandatory sewer connection.

The following individuals addressed the Board with opposition to the proposed ordinance regarding mandatory sewer hook up.  Their main objection was item #5 in the resolution, which states that those who have a working septic system that meets the Department of Health requirements are required to pay a connection fee and a monthly nonuse service charge.  Also, the terminology "mandatory" in the ordinance was highly scorned.

Thelma Gilley, a resident of Powell Valley

Jimmy Garrison, a resident of Stonega

Hugh Kiser, a resident of Diggs Road

Jean Owens, a resident of Diggs Road

The following individuals supported the ordinance because it would clean up our streams; provide cleaner water for recreation and a healthier environment that would enhance our economic growth:

Deborah Adams, a resident of the Stephen area.

Jeff Cantrell, a resident of the Indian Creek area

Glen Graham, representing the Lonesome Pine Soil and Water Conservation District

Lockwood Hall, a resident of the Indian Creek area

Walter Crouse, a resident of the Hurricane area

Ray Couch, a resident of Coeburn Mtn

Ron Flanary, representing the LENOWISCO Planning District, stated that the County needs to pursue public sewer to increase housing production, improve the groundwater and stream quality, and to promote economic growth.  In this area, it is difficult to obtain a permit from VDH for a traditional septic system because of the shallow soil from bedrock, high water table, too much clay soil, and, in most areas, the land will not "perk".  This is a loss of revenue for the County.

To be financially stable, revenue from utility systems must be sufficient to retire debt, create debt reserve, and cover the cost of the operation and maintenance.  Since revenue is generated from the users of a sewer system, the utility must have assurance of the participation of a sufficient number of users to create a positive cash flow.  All funding agencies require user agreements prior to awarding project funding. 

Mr. Flanary voiced his support for the proposed ordinance with some minor changes as suggested by some of the citizens that have spoken.

Brad Stallard, representing the Wise County Health Department, voiced the support of the Health Department in adopting the proposed ordinance.  He stated that it is very difficult with current regulatory structure to issue standard septic tank drain field systems mainly due to shallow soil conditions.  He expounded on the cost of installing the newer type sewer and the upkeep costs of such system because the land will not perk for traditional septic system.

Chairman Luntsford directed the County Administrator to talk with Mr. Flanary, Mr. Buchanan and others for suggestions that would make the proposed ordinance more acceptable.  

There was some discussion on the cost of the connections and the monthly fees.

PSA Director Danny Buchanan spoke briefly on the mechanics for installing a sewer line and the procedure used to determine the number of users for that particular system.

Eulan Hamm and Allen Hamm, residents of the Coeburn area, called the County Administrator's Office voicing their support for the mandatory sewer connection since they were unable to attend the meeting.  She noted that several families in her area have failing septic systems.

There being no further public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Edgar Mullins, a resident of the Pound area, stated that he was for countywide sewer that would help clean up the streams and the environment.  However, he was not for "mandatory" hook ups.  He did not believe it was right to make a person hook on to the sewer if there was a workable septic system in place, nor was it fair to make an individual pay a connection fee or monthly fee if they were not on the system.

Mr. Mullins also asked the Board to consider naming a bridge in the Needmore section of Wise County in honor of the late Kenneth Sturgill.

Mr. Mullins further asked that the Board consider adding Revenue Sharing money to the $80,000 that is already in the Six year Plan for the Rt. 630 Project.

Bonnie Elosser, representing Pro-Art, addressed the Board with an overview of Pro-Art's activities and the benefits that are reaped by citizens through its many performances.  She thanked the Board for its continued support and asked that Pro-Art be considered in the upcoming budget for FY 2006-2007.

Charlene Green and her husband asked for Board assistance in getting some relief from the coal dust that is being produced by the coal tipple located in the Glamorgan section.  She explained that the owners of this company is out of Kentucky and have no remorse for the residents living in Stephens regarding the problems with the coal dust, the health hazard or the environmental impact it has on their community.  She stated that the dust is so bad that her breathing is difficult at times.  The dust inside the house is almost as bad as outside not to mention the condition of her lungs.  Moving to another area is out of the question because no one would buy her house in an environment such as this.    

Ms. Green further stated that Scott Coffee, owner of Guyan Heavy Equipment located in Esserville, has made a junkyard next to her home.  She asked for Board assistance in getting this junkyard removed.

Cathy Selvage, a resident of the Stephens area, voiced her concerns about the choking coal dust and the machinery that goes 24-7.  She said there is no rest for the residents living in this community and no hope for change.  She spoke briefly on the potholes in the road that needs repair.

Administrator Skinner stated that he has spoken to PSA Director Danny Buchanan regarding the potholes that in part was caused by the installation of a water line in that area.  Mr. Buchanan said there is an outstanding bond with Barnette Contractors, the contractor for this particular water project, that is being held until such time the issues regarding the condition of the road has been resolved.   This will be done in the springtime, which will allow some paving and patching.

Regarding the dust, Administrator Skinner stated that Mr. & Mrs. Green have been dealing with DMME on this issue with no results.  However, he will be meeting with the County Attorney to ascertain what the County can do to diminish this problem.

Walter Crouse spoke briefly on the cost of handling solid waste and the need for mandatory recycling.  He noted that something needs to be done with solid waste, other than burying it.

Ray Couch, Executive Coordinator of Keep Wise County Beautiful, informed the Board that Keep Wise County Beautiful won a President's Circle Recognition Award from Keep America Beautiful in December 2005.

Mr. Couch stated that he has received an e-mail from Blaine Delaney, a representative of Black Diamond Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. located in Lebanon, stating the Black Diamond RC&D will honor the excellent support that the Wise County Litter Control Office provided to them during 2005 with an award.  The Award's Banquet will be held on April 20, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Wise/Norton area and he would be accepting that award for Wise County.

Mr. Moore, a resident of Corder Town Road in Coeburn, stated that there is a junkyard of old cars on Corder Town Road.  He said he has called for some assistance in getting the cars moved but nothing has been done.

Chairman Luntsford directed the County Administrator to follow up on this complaint.

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Highway Resident T. G. Branson provided an update on construction throughout the County.

The request to abandon a section of Route 686 was reviewed.

The resolution "Watch for Children" sign to be located on Boggs Avenue was reviewed.

Board members presented needs in their districts for VDOT review.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were reviewed:

(1) Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 2) on a request from Garnard C. Kincer for a Special Use Permit for the purpose of erecting a radio tower and transmitter on Buck Knob

(2) Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 2) on a request from Wise County IDA for rezoning of property in Virginia City from an A-RR District to a M-2 Heavy Industrial District

(3) Budget Amendment No. 58 thru No. 65

IN RE:  COMMUNITY POLICY & MANAGEMENT BOARD -BUDGET AMENDMENT # 66

This is a request from the Community Policy & Management Board for additional funding for the At-Risk Youth and Families.  This would be done by a budget amendment.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION - NAMING BRIDGE OSCAR F. POOLE

There was a brief discussion on the procedure for naming a bridge.  It was the consensus of the Board to send the naming of this bridge out for public hearing in March for public input and for similar requests that may come before the Board in the future.

IN RE:  SURPLUS SCHOOL PROPERTY/CRACKERS NECK

Attorney Mullins reported that she received the deed from the School Board today and has reviewed the deed and it appears to be in order.  She stated that the Board must approve the deed as to form only.  This is a Quit Claim Deed as opposed to a Special Warranty Deed due to the fact that the initial deed was a 1904 deed prior to the consolidation of an actual School Board for Wise County.  The property has actually been conveyed to the trustees of the School District in the Powell Valley area.  Attorney Mullins said she was checking to ascertain what must be done to actually have a Warranty should any future owner decide to have a title search and want to check and get a certified title.  She asked that the Board approve the deed at its next meeting, which will allow her to have the deed properly recorded.

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

(1) Appointments

(2) Jail reuse proposal

IN RE:  COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Skinner reported on the following:

(1) Update on the new transfer station

(2) Capital Improvements Plan

IN RE:  BOARD COMMENTS

Board members made brief comments.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

ATTEST:                                WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

_____________________            _________________________

Glen A. Skinner, Clerk                     Fred A. Luntsford, Chairman

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